WO2001081694A1

WO2001081694A1 - Vehicle equipped with a system for remote control of an opening panel and system for producing such control

Info

Publication number: WO2001081694A1
Application number: PCT/FR2001/001261
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jean-Jacques Avenel
Original assignee: Valeo Electronique
Priority date: 2000-04-26
Filing date: 2001-04-25
Publication date: 2001-11-01
Also published as: EP1246987A1; JP2003531976A; DE60113062D1; JP4804695B2; US6907323B2; EP1246987B1; FR2808339A1; ES2248317T3; DE60113062T2; FR2808339B1; US20030105559A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a vehicle comprising a system enabling a user to control remotely an actuating mechanism (1) connected to an opening panel, in particular a boot opening panel (8). The control system comprises means, equipping the vehicle, for controlling at least an action of the actuating mechanism, according to the movement of an object, such as a hand, vertically in a delimited control zone adjacent to the opening panel. Said movement is determined from signals obtained from at least a movement sensor (7) placed on or proximate to the opening panel and whereof the radiation pattern is fixed to delimit the control zone.

Description

VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH A SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING A REMOTE OPENING ELEMENT AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING SUCH A CONTROL

The invention relates to vehicles, in particular motor vehicles, which are equipped with systems making it possible to act remotely at the level of at least one of their opening elements, for example at the level of a boot opening element, to trigger the activation thereof. 'opening or closing. It also relates to systems allowing the realization of such an order. To date, there are a certain number of motor vehicles equipped with “hands-free” access systems allowing a user to act on a vehicle, from outside this vehicle, if this user carries an appropriate identifier, of the transponder type, which is recognized by a transmitter / receiver recognition device, fitted to the vehicle, when it is in a determined geographical area in the vicinity of the vehicle. Such an access system acts, for example, on the locking / unlocking mechanism of the locks of the doors of a motor vehicle, so as to allow the opening of these doors by one or more users, from the moment the recognition device, which the vehicle comprises, has detected the presence at a suitable distance of a determined identifier.

There is generally no provision for automatic opening of all the doors of a vehicle and in particular of a motor vehicle, by the access system, in addition to unlocking the locks, insofar as such a complete opening simultaneously all the openings does not necessarily have an interest in the case of motor vehicles. Such an opening could also be a source of risk for a vehicle with opening, swing type, and for what would then be in its environment. By cons, it may be convenient for a user to be able to control the opening and / or closing of one of the opening, for example a door with side opening or a trunk opening, without having to manipulate a control member. This is of interest, for example, for a user who wants to bring into a vehicle a load which he carries in his hands, without having to place this load to manually open the door, or alternatively to close an opening, when his hands are full. 5 It is then necessary to provide a means allowing the user to trigger the opening and / or closing of an opening, according to his will, from the moment when he fulfills the conditions required to obtain such an opening. A known remote control system makes it possible to control an automatic opening of a boot lid, it comprises sensors which are arranged in the vicinity of the boot, for example on either side of the license plate adjoining this boot, and which are capable of detecting the presence of a hand nearby. The trunk opening command is triggered by the successive detection of a user's hand in front of each of the sensors. This detection of successive presences of a hand in front of each of the detectors during the back-and-forth control movement is provided to limit the risks of triggering by a user, or even by a third party, making gestures at the level of the sensors, without intending to order the opening. On the other hand, the triggering of a command by a movement of this kind is not necessarily practical, in particular when the user carries a load which is not easy to handle, for example because of its size or its weight. The invention therefore provides a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle which comprises a control system allowing a user to act remotely on an actuator mechanism linked to an opening, such as a boot opening or a door. According to a characteristic of the invention, this control system comprises means at vehicle level, for controlling via a movement sensor, at least one action of the actuator mechanism, when a movement is detected by the through a motion sensor, along a preferred axis of motion detection of this sensor and that this movement corresponds to a predetermined movement. According to a variant of the invention, the control system comprises means, at vehicle level, for controlling at least one action of the actuator mechanism, from signals produced by movement sensors, when the same movement detected by the 'Intermediate of these sensors along their respective privileged axes is translated by a determined movement along a resulting axis whose orientation is a function of the combination of sensors produced.

According to a variant of the invention, the control system comprises means by which the speed of movement, along the preferred axis of the sensor or along the axis resulting from the sensors of the control system, which is determined from signals provided by each sensor is used to control the actuator mechanism, in the event of detection of a movement. According to a variant of the invention, the control system comprises means by which the distance traveled, along the preferred axis of the sensor or along the axis resulting from the sensors of the control system, which is determined from the signals provided by each sensor, is used to control the actuator mechanism, in the event of detection of a movement, in particular, for the purposes of stroke control or angular opening, at the level of the actuator mechanism.

According to the invention, the orientation of the sensor (s) on the vehicle is fixed so that the preferred axis of each sensor of the control system which is associated with the actuator mechanism of a leaf is oriented to detect movements taking place in at least one of the directions corresponding respectively to the opening or closing direction of the opening. According to the invention, the vehicle includes an opening actuator mechanism which is a mechanical or electromechanical assembly ensuring the opening and / or closing of the opening.

According to a variant of the invention, the vehicle comprises an opening control system which is associated with a "hands-free" access device controlling the locking and unlocking of at least one opening lock of the vehicle. According to a variant of the invention, the opening control system acts on an actuator mechanism ensuring the opening and / or closing of an opening, and comprises, for this purpose, one or more motion sensors disposed on the opening or near the opening on the vehicle. According to a variant of the invention, the control system comprises one or more motion sensors, of the transceiver type of ultrasound or microwave signals.

According to a variant of the invention, the control system comprises means for controlling a leaf actuator mechanism which are designed to determine the control action to be carried out as a function of the direction of movement, as defined from the signals supplied. by the sensor or sensors, preferably from a predetermined value of minimum displacement threshold.

According to a variant of the invention, the determined direction of movement, necessary for the control of a door opening or closing by an actuator mechanism under the control of the means making it possible to control this mechanism, is chosen to correspond to the opening or closing direction of movement required. The invention also provides a control system for a vehicle opening and in particular for the opening of the boot of a vehicle, such as a motor vehicle, this system being arranged to allow a user to act remotely on an actuating mechanism. linked to the opening and housed in the vehicle. According to the invention, this system comprises means, intended to be mounted on the vehicle, for controlling at least one action of the actuator mechanism, as a function of the movement of an object, such as a hand, vertically in a delimited area of control adjoining the opening, this movement being determined from signals obtained from at least one motion sensor, of the type of transceiver of motion detection signals, which the system comprises and which is intended to be placed close to the opening, the radiation diagram of the or each of the sensors being fixed so as to delimit the control area in the vicinity of the opening. The invention, its characteristics and its advantages are explained in the description which follows in conjunction with the figures mentioned below.

FIG. 1 presents a diagram of a control system intended to allow a user to act remotely at the level of a mechanism linked to a window of a vehicle, this control system, according to the invention, being here assumed to be associated with an access control system, such as a "hands-free" system.

FIG. 2 presents a block diagram relating to the positioning and the operation of a sensor of a control system, according to the invention, this system being associated with a boot opening on a vehicle, in a nonlimiting example of embodiment . FIG. 3 presents a schematic diagram relating to a variant implementation of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 2.

Figures 4 and 5 respectively show a block diagram relating to a second variant implementation of the invention, as illustrated in Figure 2. Figure 6 shows a block diagram relating to a third variant implementation of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 2. A block diagram presenting the essential constituent elements of a control system allowing a user to act remotely on an actuator mechanism, linked to a window of a vehicle , is presented, by way of example, in FIG. 1. It is associated therewith with a “hands-free” access system, as mentioned above, it being understood that this association, which is preferably envisaged, is however not essential. The control system according to the invention is provided to allow a user to act on an actuator mechanism 1 of a door of a vehicle, not shown in this figure.

The invention is intended, in particular, to be implemented on a motor vehicle and at the level of an opening, for example a boot opening. It is, of course, applicable to other openings that the vehicle is likely to include.

The actuator mechanism 1, linked to the opening which is considered here, is for example a mechanism making it possible to ensure the opening and / or closing of the opening. It is here assumed to be able to act in response to at least one command action executed by a user which is sent to it through a control logic 3. As known, the response of the actuator mechanism to a command can be obtained by mechanical, for example by involving one or more springs, or by electromechanical means, for example by involving an electric motor.

In an alternative embodiment, the actuator mechanism 1 is associated with a locking / unlocking mechanism 2 of a lock of the door to which it is assigned, so as to allow the opening of the door, when the lock is unlocked and, optionally, to allow it to be closed, before the door is locked in the closed position. As is known, the locking and unlocking operations of at least one opening of a vehicle are capable of being controlled by means of a logic access control unit fitted to the vehicle. This unit reacts for example to an action performed by the user by means of a control or remote control member. It may possibly imply the presence of a specific user identifier at the vehicle level, in particular if it is equipped with a "hands-free" access system as mentioned above and such that envisaged in FIG. 1. In the example presented and according to a known embodiment, the identifier assigned to a user is of the transponder type, and it is capable of transmitting an identification signal in response to an interrogation signal determined. This interrogation signal is emitted under the supervision of a control logic 4, provided with identifier recognition means, with which the vehicle is equipped. The transmission / reception device is here symbolized by the antenna 5 which is assumed to be connected to the logic 4 by a transceiver, not shown.

By way of example and as envisaged above, it is assumed here that the access control logic 4 makes it possible to act on the mechanism of locking / unlocking 2 and that it cooperates with the control logic 3 acting on the actuator mechanism 1. These two logics are possibly combined in a logic assembly 6, as known to those skilled in the art, their cooperation is effective, during operations where mechanisms 1 and 2 are involved.

According to the invention, it is provided that the control logic 3, which makes it possible to act on the actuator mechanism 1 linked to an opening leaf, is provided with means enabling it to react according to the movement of an object, and in particular with one hand, in a delimited control area adjoining the opening. The movement is determined from signals which are obtained from at least one movement sensor 7 which is, for example, placed on the vehicle near the opening, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 6, or also on the opening itself, as shown in FIG. 4. The sensor or sensors can thus be placed above or below the level of the opening on the vehicle and for example on a bumper close to this opening, when the latter is a boot opening. Positioning on one side of the vehicle, close to a boot opening, can also be envisaged to allow control of this opening, when only lateral access is possible, due to the parking conditions of the vehicle. The sensor 7, envisaged above, comprises, for example, means enabling it to emit signals, for evaluation purposes, and to recover them, when they are reflected by an element constituting a reflector which is then located in the sensor field. This reflective element can in particular be a user's hand. The sensor 7 is, for example, formed around a transmitter-receiver circuit of ultrasonic signals or of a conventional transmitter-receiver circuit of microwave signals. It is assumed to have a privileged motion detection axis F, as shown diagrammatically in FIG. 2. A processing of the motion evaluation signals, received by the sensor envisaged above, is carried out at the level of a logic of this type. sensor or control logic 3 in order to determine the direction and, for example, the speed or the distance traveled for a detected movement. This is achieved by implementing logical means known to those skilled in the art. These means are, for example, located at the level of a unit for calculating the control logic 3, duly programmed. The control system according to the invention takes into account the movement of a reflective element on the path followed by the waves emitted by the sensor 7, in a delimited control area. As is known, the delimitation of this area is a function of the radiation diagram provided at the design for the sensor 7, this diagram is here assumed to be chosen with a conical shape and oriented along an axis F which is a preferred detection axis for the sensor. The emission cone of the sensor 7 is provided narrow and of small extension in length, so as to avoid taking into account the movement of an object, forming a screen, in particular above the vehicle, at a distance which does not is not likely to match the position of a hand of a user acting for control purposes. An example of positioning of the sensor 7 for an opening 8, of the trunk opening type of a vehicle 9, is illustrated in FIG. 2. The sensor 7 is arranged there below the level of the opening 8 on the vehicle and , for example, in the middle of the vehicle on the bumper 10, adjacent to this opening, the latter being here supposed to open by a rocking movement from bottom to top. The radiation pattern D of the sensor is vertically oriented and it is assumed to cover a narrow, conical-shaped area extending upwards and adjoining the boot opening. Of course, the orientation of the beam emitted by the sensor reflected by the radiation diagram can be modified, depending on the shapes and orientation of the part of the vehicle where the opening is to be controlled remotely, as well as those of this opening. In particular, it is possible to have a beam oriented in the opposite direction to that presented, for example if the sensor 7 is fixed at the top of the vehicle, above a vertical or quasi-vertical opening, and if it defines a control zone located below it which extends over at least part of the height of this opening. It is also possible to arrange the sensor so that the privileged axis F of the sensor is only approximately vertical. Indeed, as shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1, it is the vertical component "y" of the movement of the object forming a screen at the waves emitted by the sensor 7 which is taken into account by the logic 3, to determine whether the component of the movement along the vertical axis corresponds to a predetermined movement characteristic of a control action executed by a user, as shown diagrammatically in FIG. 2, for a movement of a screen object which is symbolized by an arrow M., in a plane vertical x, y. In a given form of implementation, provision is made for the hand movement enabling the opening from the bottom to the top of the boot opening 8, shown diagrammatically in FIG. 2, to correspond to a movement carried out from the bottom up. in the vertical orientation control zone delimited by the sensor 7 This sensor is here assumed to be placed at the top of the bumper 10. The production of such a movement does not correspond to a usual action of a user at this level, in the absence of a control system according to the invention. It results in a vertical component along the preferred axis of the sensor 7 which is taken into account if it corresponds to a predetermined movement, along this axis. A hand movement in the opposite direction to the previous one can possibly be used to control the closing of the opening by the mechanism 1, when the latter is intended to carry out such opening / closing operations. g The commissioning of the control system according to the invention may possibly be conditioned by the detection of a user in the vicinity of the opening. This can be obtained by using a detection system also fitted to the vehicle and, for example, an obstacle detection system by ultrasound used to aid in parking the vehicle. It is also expected that the cooperation of a “hands-free” access system with a control system, according to the invention, at the level of a vehicle makes it possible to carry out a remote opening control, by detection of 'a movement defined near an opening, only if the access system has determined the presence near the vehicle of an authorized user with an appropriate identifier. The actions of the various detection control and access control systems mentioned above can of course be coordinated in different ways, depending on the needs of the users, insofar as the programming of the logics which supervise them is provided for this purpose. effect

An alternative embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 3, in conjunction with a boot opening 8 'provided with an actuator mechanism 1' and fitted to a vehicle 9 'similar to that shown diagrammatically in FIG. 2.

The vehicle 9 'is equipped with a control system which corresponds functionally to that defined in connection with FIG. 1 and which comprises two movement sensors 7A' and 7B '. These sensors make it possible to detect a movement of a reflective element and in particular of a hand of a user, in a control area delimited near an opening, in order to determine if this movement corresponds to a control action carried out by the user. The sensors 7A 'and 7B' are aligned along the opening, for example, on the bumper 10 'extending horizontally on the vehicle body below this opening. They are arranged so that their respective radiation patterns intersect symmetrically along the opening. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the two sensors are arranged so that their respective privileged axes FA 'and FB', symmetrically inclined towards each other, are in the same plane, for example vertical, perpendicular to the median longitudinal plane of the vehicle where they intersect. The control logic, which supervises them, is for example programmed to trigger a control action only if it determines that there is equality of value and identity of meaning for the vertical component of speed of movement obtained from the measurements originating of a sensor and for that obtained from the measurements made by the other sensor. In a preferred embodiment, the arrangement of the sensors of the control system, such as 7A 'and 7B', on the equipped vehicle and, in particular, the orientation of their respective privileged axes FA ', FB' determine the orientation d 'a resulting axis R' along which is taken into account a movement, detected by the assembly that these sensors form, to determine whether this movement corresponds to a predetermined control movement. This resulting axis R ′ is assumed to be of vertical orientation in the example presented in FIG. 3, another orientation can of course be chosen according to requirements, this orientation being for example oblique, or even horizontal as envisaged for the illustrated embodiment in figure 6.

In the example of implementation illustrated in FIG. 3, each of the sensors associated with an opening, in a control system according to the invention, performs measurements in the limited area which is defined by its emission diagram. The control logic, which supervises these sensors, is, for example, programmed to trigger a control action, taking as criterion one or more given speed conditions, for the movement determined along the resulting axis R ', from the signals supplied by each sensor to the logic, if the same movement is detected by these sensors.

Similarly in the example of implementation illustrated in FIG. 2, the control logic is programmed to trigger a control action taking as criterion one or more given speed conditions for the movement determined according to l privileged axis F of the sensor 7, from the signals supplied by this sensor, in the event of detection of a movement of an element, and in particular of a hand, by this sensor.

The triggering of an action at the actuator mechanism by a control system according to the invention can for example be obtained, as soon as the speed of movement determined by the logic exceeds a predetermined minimum threshold value. Opening or closing actions can thus be obtained, as required, as a function of the direction of movement observed by means of the sensor or sensors. In another form of implementation, the control logic which supervises the sensor or sensors is programmed to exploit the distance traveled, as determined along the preferred axis, such as F, of a single sensor or along the resulting axis , such R ', in the case of a set of sensors associated with the same opening, as a criterion, for the control of the actuator mechanism of this opening. To avoid an untimely command by a user, it is provided, in one embodiment, to trigger a command only from the moment when the amplitude of the detected movement exceeds a determined minimum threshold value. It is also planned to use the distance traveled criterion to control the angular opening of a pivoting opening, such as the opening 11 of the vehicle illustrated in FIG. 4, or the extent of its travel in the case of a sliding opening, such as the opening 12 of the vehicle shown in Figure 6, so as to allow a partial opening or closing. A sash opening, proportional to the distance traveled by a hand in a predetermined direction of movement, can thus be obtained for a given command. As is known, the displacement of an element, in the control zone defined by one or more sensors, can be determined from speed measurements made from impulse signals or from Doppler type measurements made from 'waves transmitted continuously. The trajectory followed during movement can also be determined by correlating the speed of the screen object with its distance from the sensor. Figures 4 and 5 relate to an implementation of the invention, at the level of a vehicle comprising a pivoting opening 11, where there is provided a motion sensor 13 assumed to be positioned at the level of an operating handle that includes this opening. The sensor 13 is mounted so that its preferred detection axis F is oriented so as to detect movements carried out at least approximately vertically by a user for example by means of a hand in the control zone which corresponds to the diagram of radiation from this sensor. In the theoretical example given, this approximately ellipsoidal or ovoidal shape diagram is oriented upwards along the preferred axis F of the sensor, as shown diagrammatically, so as to take into account the movements of a reflective element and in particular d '' one hand in a control area located above the sensor 13 and moving away externally and gradually from the opening 11, towards the top of this opening 11 which it adjoins.

FIG. 6 relates to an implementation of the invention, at the level of a vehicle comprising a sliding opening 12 and at least one movement sensor 14, here assumed to be fixed on a side wall of the vehicle along which slides the 'opening. The sensor 14 is mounted so that its privileged detection axis F is oriented so as to detect movements carried out at least approximately horizontally by a user for example by means of a hand in the control zone which corresponds to the diagram of radiation from this sensor. In a preferred embodiment, the orientation of the sensor or possibly of the sensors of the control system associated with this sliding leaf, is chosen to ensure detection of the movements taking place in at least one of the directions corresponding respectively to the direction of opening. or closing the opening. This is to allow the user to control the sliding of the opening by a hand movement carried out, along the vehicle and near the opening, in the direction of movement desired for the opening.

Claims

1 / Vehicle, in particular motor vehicle, comprising a control system allowing a user to act remotely on an actuator mechanism (1) linked to an opening (8) of the vehicle, characterized in that this control system comprises means (3), at vehicle level, for controlling at least one action of the actuator mechanism, when a movement is detected by means of a movement sensor (7), along a privileged axis of movement detection of this sensor and that this movement corresponds to a predetermined movement. 2 / Vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that this control system comprises means (3), at the vehicle level, for controlling at least one action of the actuator mechanism, from the signals produced by motion sensors ( 7A ¹ , 7B '), when the same movement detected via these sensors along their respective privileged axes is translated by a determined movement along a resulting axis (R') whose orientation is a function of the combination of sensors performed.

3 / Vehicle according to one of claims 1, 2, wherein the speed of movement, along the preferred axis (F) of the sensor (7) or along the resulting axis (R ') of the sensors (7A \ 7B ') of the control system, which is determined from the signals supplied by each sensor, is used to control the actuator mechanism, in the event of detection of a movement. Al Vehicle, according to one of claims 1, 2, in which the distance traveled, along the preferred axis (F) of the sensor (7) or along the resulting axis (R ') of the sensors (7A \ 7B') the control system, which is determined from the signals supplied by each sensor, is used to control the actuator mechanism, in the event of detection of a movement. 5 / Vehicle, according to one of claim 4, wherein the distance traveled as determined, along the preferred axis (F) of the sensor (7) or along the resulting axis (R ') of the sensors (7A \ 7B ') of the control system, on the basis of the signals supplied by each sensor, in the event of detection of a movement, is used for the purposes of stroke control or angular opening, at the level of the actuator mechanism.

6 / Vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the orientation of the sensor (s) on the vehicle is fixed so that the axis privileged of each sensor of the control system which is associated with the actuator mechanism of an opening is oriented to detect movements taking place in at least one of the directions corresponding respectively to the opening or closing direction of the opening. 11 Vehicle, according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the actuator mechanism (1) of the opening which is controlled is a mechanical or electromechanical opening and / or closing opening. 8 / vehicle, according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the opening control system is associated with a "hands-free" access device (4, 5) which controls a locking / unlocking mechanism (2 ) at least one lock of a door leaf of the vehicle.

9 / Vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the opening control system acts on an actuator mechanism (1) ensuring the opening and / or closing of an opening (8 or 8 ') , this control system comprising one or more motion sensors (7 or 7A ′, 7B ′) disposed on the sash or near the sash on the vehicle. 10 / Vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the control system comprises one or more motion sensors, of the ultrasonic transmitter-receiver type.

11 / Vehicle, according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the control system comprises one or more motion sensors, of the transceiver type of microwave signals. 12 / Vehicle, according to one of claims 1 to 1 1, wherein the means (3 and 7 or 7A ', 7B'), for controlling a mechanism (2) opening actuator, are designed to determine the action control to be performed as a function of the direction of movement as defined from the signals supplied by the sensor (s), preferably from a predetermined minimum movement threshold value. 13 / A vehicle according to claim 12, in which the determined direction of movement, necessary for the control of an opening leaf on opening or closing by an actuator mechanism (2) under the control of the means (3 and 7 or 7A ', 7B') for controlling this mechanism, is chosen to correspond to the direction of movement of opening or closing of the opening which is requested.

14 / Control system for an opening and in particular for a boot opening (8 or 8 ') of a vehicle, such as a motor vehicle, this system being arranged to allow a user to act remotely on an actuating mechanism (2) linked to the opening in the vehicle, characterized in that it comprises means (3 and 7 or 7A ', 7B'), intended to be mounted on the vehicle, to control at least one action of the actuator mechanism, as a function of the movement of an object, such as a hand, in a delimited control zone adjoining the opening, this movement being determined from signals provided by at least one motion sensor (7 or 7A ', 7B'), of the type of transceiver of motion detection signals, which the system comprises and which is intended to be placed on or near the opening , the radiation diagram of the or each of the sensors being fixed so as to delimit the control area in the vicinity of the opening.